Citizen's Action Network

Any incident related to suspicious activity,
terrorism, and possible terrorist activity requires telephonic notification
to the National Response Center.

This would include bombings, bomb threats, suspicious letters or packages, and
incidents related to the intentional release of chemical, biological or
radioactive agents. Our watch standers are trained to ask specific
questions for such reports and will immediately pass the information to the
proper agencies for response.

Verifying or monitoring information during a SAR case;
especially when the expected time for Coast Guard responders on scene is
lengthy. This type of “eyes on” support is valuable when an initial
report is lacking critical information, communications is lost with the
initial reporting source or the reporting source moves from the location
(such as cell phone reports taken from moving vehicles).

Supporting the Aids to Navigation mission by conducting
visual checks after a storm. A participant, knowing in advance the bearing
of an aid from his home, could report back when called upon. Several
participants in a given area could support a rough triangulation of an aid
allowing for the Aton unit to better manage the priority of their response
efforts.

Responding to a call from the Coast Guard to verify a
vessel’s location. This could be helpful identifying positions of vessels
too small for VTS tracking.

Having the volunteer check their nearby beach for
evidence of a false alarm, flare firing, oil spill impact or disabled/sick
wildlife. Ideally, the Citizen’s Action Network volunteers will be
available when needed; but the odds of being called are great for evening,
nights and weekend support.

The complexity of the Thirteenth District's waterways
coupled with its limited search and rescue resources make the Citizen’s
Action Network highly valuable program.